The SFA Alumni Coaches Awards program was created to highlight the achievements of head coaches with SFA degrees. Since it began in 1978, the SFA Alumni Coaches Awards progam has honored head coaches who take their teams the furthest in the play-offs at the high school level each year or win conference championships at the collegiate level.

Recipients of the Ted Jefferies Football Award were Jeff Traylor ’90 & ’02 of Gilmer and Terry Ward ’96 & ’08 of Tenaha. Traylor’s Gilmer team finished its season as the Class 3A Division II state runner-up. Ward also led his Tenaha team to a Class 1A Division II state runner-up finish.

The Alumni Association Volleyball Award was given to John Leonard ’85 & ’87 of Baytown. Leonard’s Barbers Hill squad finished its season as 4A Region III finalists.

The John O. Stephens Basketball Award was received by Doug Barncastle ’09 of Ben Wheeler and Ron Boyett ’88 of White Oak. Barncastle’s Martins Mill team captured the 1A Division I Girls State Championship. Boyett and his White Oak team won the 2A Boys state title.

Phil Olson ’86 of Nacogdoches received the Joe Richardson Track Award. Olson led both SFA Lumberjack and Ladyjack track teams to the NCAA Southland Conference indoor and outdoor track and field titles.

The Alumni Association Softball Award will be presented to Jimmy Eby ’99 of Lufkin. His Hudson team finished the season on top as the 3A state champions.

The Joe Gallagher Baseball Award was presented to Wesley Colley ’88 of Henderson. His Price Carlisle team emerged victorious as the Class 1A state champions.

The SFA Alumni Coaches Awards Luncheon was held at Piney Woods Country Club. For more information about the SFA coaching awards, contact Samantha Mora, director of alumni events and engagement, at (800) 765-1534 or (936) 468-3407.